van Gieson IS a trichrome stain, just like Masson, Mallory and
Gomori.

TRI = blue     of haematoxylin
         red      of, e.g acid fuchsin
         green (or different blue)   of , e.g light green
                                                        aniline blue
Exceptions are the more modern methods of Lendrum in particular,
APM [Acid (acid fuchsin) Picro(picro-orange)  Mallory(soluble blue
and the principle)]

MSB [Martius yellow, brilliant crystal Scarlet (ponceau 6R)soluble
Blue)

Only reason I can think why VG not usually included among the
others is chronology.


Russ Allison,
Dental School
Cardiff
Wales